Patna: The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) has been enforced across the nation by the Central Government, triggering heightened security measures in Bihar, including the capital Patna. The Bihar Police Headquarters issued an alert on Monday, urging heightened vigilance, particularly in regions like Seemanchal and border areas, to preempt any potential disturbances by anti-social elements.
Confirming the alert, ADG Law and Order Sanjay Singh underscored the imperative of maintaining law and order in the wake of past protests against the CAA and NRC in 2019, which reverberated across the country, including Bihar. Streets in Patna, including the Dak Bungalow intersection and Ashok Rajpath, were engulfed in demonstrations during that period, with similar protests erupting in Seemanchal areas such as Motihari, Samastipur, and Bhagalpur.
Given the historical context and potential sensitivities surrounding the CAA implementation, Bihar Police Headquarters directed all district SSPs/SPs to exercise heightened vigilance. Additionally, police personnel have been instructed to conduct regular patrols in Muslim-majority areas and closely monitor social media platforms to prevent the dissemination of any incendiary content.
In response to the alert, Patna Police, under the directive of DIG cum SSP Rajeev Mishra, intensified surveillance across the district and deployed additional patrols to sensitive locations. Moreover, the police are closely monitoring social media channels to preemptively address any inflammatory rhetoric.
The implementation of the CAA has also prompted responses from political figures. Chirag Paswan, Jamui MP and LJP (Ram Vilas) national president, hailed the notification, asserting that the law aims to provide citizenship to refugees, offering them a dignified existence and safeguarding their cultural and social identity.
However, Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, criticized the Modi government’s approach, accusing it of orchestrating distractions ahead of elections. Tejashwi emphasized that voters would hold accountable those who propagate falsehoods and incite division, signaling a commitment to voting on substantive issues rather than succumbing to headline management tactics.
